SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Islands Hopping : Koh Phi Phi

 

5 Sept 2011.

It is our second day in Aonang, and we will be going for island tour today. The agent will pick us up at 8.00am; I glance at my watch -  we still have about an hour prior to the departure. Since breakfast is not included in the room package, we have to find elsewhere. A short walk uphill towards the underconstructed mosque (the only one in town), we find a halal eatery already in operation, in front of it.

 

We have noodle soup and hot coffee for breakfast, and while eating it suddenly rains. I was worried that it will screw up our plan but thank goodness, the rain only last a few minutes and by the time we walk out from the place, the day is bright and clear.

 

A walk back to our guest house, after the rain.

 

We arrive at the guest house just in time to catch up with the agent, who appears 10 minutes later. We quickly hop into his van and joint the farangs inside. A smile and a nod, and we are good. The agent makes a few stops afterward, picking up the others from the nearby hotels and guest houses along the way. The van then speed off to Nopparat Thara beach where all the boat operators already waiting.

 

A pose at Nopparat Thara beach, before hopping into the boat.

 

The low tide makes it possible to walk to the nearby island, unfortunately we don’t have time for that now.

 

We are grouped based on our destination and given a coloured sticker each for ease of identification. The lady that manned our group is quite a loud woman, and she made us follow her instruction like a chick to her mother. Somehow her gaudy demeanour amuses me and the others, and we share a few giggles at her back. She ushers us to the speed boat, anchored next to a line of long tails.

 

 

The long tails are usually for shorter distance trip such as to the nearby Chicken island or Poda island and the rate is way cheaper. However, with only one engine you should expect a slow journey, and safety is quite a concern.

 

Walking to our speed boat.

 

Inside the boat. The green capped lady is the one I mentioned earlier .

 

Our first stop is the Koh Mai Phai, or the Bamboo island. Quite a weird name, as I did not spot any single bamboo tree in the area. And there is nothing much to see really, we are suppose to have a dip and relax for a few minutes. I like it better at our own Beras Basah island (see HERE).

 

My first snorkling after, hmm.. 10 years? I takes me a while to adjust to the breathing with my mouth.

 

The corals at Bamboo island. Nothing to shout about. Mostly are dead. One thing for sure the boat operators don’t really bothers about them. They anchors as where they like, and the action does not help on the preservation of the marine organisms.

 

 

On our way to Maya Bay, the boat passes by the Viking Cave. I wonder whether I heard it right the first time; Vikings in Thailand? It is said the inside wall of the cave contains prehistoric paintings of ships and what’s not, and that’s how it gain its name although I can’t really relates the two. The cave is frequented by the locals, who collect the bird nests, one of the main (and expensive!) ingredients of a soup. The turquoise, shallow water lures me to jump, but unfortunately the boat did not stop to allow me to do so.

 

The boat continues its journey to a cove, where other speed boats are already anchoring. It is Monkey island but unlike the rest of the fellow passengers, it does not bother me to take the pictures of the monkeys (my wild guess they haven’t seen a monkey before). We have enough monkey experience during our trip to Pulau Dayang Bunting (see HERE).

 

Instead I’m more attracted to its scenic beauty.

 

Like the Viking Cave, the boat does not stop and continues its journey to Maya Bay.

 

Maya Bay at last!

 

It’s a beautiful beach, Maya Bay. The crystal clear water surrounded by high cliffs of lush vegetation makes it a secluded paradise. No wonder John Hodge chosed this place as his filming location of the controversional movie, The Beach. The only thing sucks is that it’s crowded with tourists, otherwise it would be a serenely blissful place.

 

Trying to escape all the hullabaloos, we found a track leading to the bushes and decide to explore.

 

The path bring us to Lo Sa Ma Bay, an inlet on the other side of the island.

 

From the signboard, we walk further a bit until we arrive at a wooden plank.  Up the plank and we are served with the view of Lo Sa Ma bay.  Looking down, the stairs are a bit steep, and the blue water is like calling you onwards. Stunningly eerie.

 

Lo Sa Ma Bay, a favourite spot for snorkeling they say. A glimpse of the water from above, I do not see anything interesting though.

 

We walk back to Maya beach, and this time we detour a bit using a different path. Along the way I spotted this small house, more like a toy house. DH prevents me going nearer, he says that it could meant for the spirit and suddenly I’m having goosebumps over his words.

 

We are a back to the lovely Maya and DH unable to resists the temptation for a swim. I choose to relax and enjoy the beauty like this guy,

 

 or this lady…

 

Unfortunately we are only spared a few minutes at Maya, which I feels insufficient.  The green capped lady calls us to the boat; with heavy heart we bid our untimely goodbyes to Maya and head to Phi Phi Don island for lunch (the buffet lunch is part of the package and it is halal). Seems that we are not the only group catered by the restaurant. As people come and go the food are being replenished, so you could eat your heart out. Nevertheless the taste only so-so. We quickly finish our meal and take a stroll outside.

 

The waterfront shoplots where we take our stroll.

 

Phi Phi Don is the largest of the Phi Phi islands (the other one is Phi Phi Leh where Maya Bay is sited) and the place where we are having our lunch is actually located in one fine strip of land with beautiful beaches on each side. Regrettable our time is short so we don’t get to explore both sides of the island.

 

Island transports.

 

Phi Phi Five-O. Casually clad in tees, shorts and snickers. Cool.

 

Typical scene at Phi Phi.

 

Long tails are everywhere.

 

Our next location is Hin Klang, a snorkeling spot.

 

 

It’s snorkeling time!

 

The boatman throws some bread and the fishes suddenly go crazy.

 

Besides the striped fish and one or two colorful others (if you are lucky), there’s nothing much to see at the sea floor, only some dead corals and sea urchins.

 

My gaze suddenly distracted by a bunch of girls, whose wearing the life jacket the other way round. Indeed, a clever way to stay afloat. Macam ni pon bolehh…

 

I sense like somebody is watching so I turn around, and find DH is behind me. His pose is giving me ideas **naughty grin**. Do you think what I’m thinking?

 

Sorry darling, can’t help myself. (No offense to you too, Kurt! R.I.P).

 

Later. The snorkeling at Hin Klang is the last in our tour itinerary, and soon we are back at lovely Aonang. After some good rest we venture out again, with nothing much to do we decide to experience some Krabi massage.

 

The service is quite cheap here compared to Bangkok, only at affordable 200B per hour for full body massage. Having your body being gently rubbed and kneaded under the lull of the waves and the breeze is a total bliss.

 

It is almost nightfall by the time we finish with the massage and the nearby eatery is well lit up, ready to accept its first customer.

 

Sunset in Aonang, too bad the sun is not anywhere in sight. Nonetheless, it is still not a bad view, after all.

 

As we stroll along the beach, the tranquil is suddenly disturbed; people starts running around and shops closing down. We later found out that the chaos is caused by a blaze at one of the hotel at Aonang Walking Street. I wonder whether there are people inside. Within mere minutes, fire rescue arrives and save the day. Luckily there is no casualties and we leave the place with mixed feelings. The little drama ends our second day.